JP6090323B2 - COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, NODE DEVICE, METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

(Description of related applications)
The present invention is based on the priority claim of Japanese Patent Application: Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-167234 (filed on July 27, 2012), the entire description of which is incorporated herein by reference. Shall.

  The present invention relates to a communication system, a node device, a method, and a program.

  In recent years, with the spread of smartphones, the amount of communication traffic per terminal (UE: User Equipment) has increased significantly. For this reason, the congestion of the mobile network of mobile operators (also referred to as “communication carriers” and “communication operators”) is a big problem.

  As one effective countermeasure against this problem, the mobile operator can communicate with the subscriber's terminal (UE) from the mobile network, for example, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity: Wi-Fi is registered with the Wi-Fi Alliance). Focusing on off-loading (detour) of switching to other networks such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network) using trademark technology, wireless LAN access points (simply "access points" or "hot spots") We are actively promoting off-road countermeasures such as expansion). Wi-Fi refers to a test conducted by the Wi-Fi Alliance to certify the interoperability compatibility of the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc) 802.11 series wireless LAN. .

  The analysis of related technology is given below. In the following, problems related to offloading from a mobile communication access network to another wireless access network such as Wi-Fi will be described (analysis result by the present inventors).

As a billing plan provided by the mobile operator, for example, there is a double flat rate. This is because the traffic (traffic volume)
A fixed amount up to a predetermined first threshold,
If the first threshold value is exceeded and the second threshold value (second threshold value> first threshold value) is less than or equal to, the pay-per-use system is set.
When the second threshold is exceeded, it becomes an offload target.
Is. In this case, there is a possibility that some of the subscribers of the terminal have reached the limited amount for billing, but the subscriber who does not reach the billing upper limit due to the introduction of offload. The reason is as follows.

  For example, when there are many wireless LAN access points (public wireless LAN) such as Wi-Fi in the subscriber's action range, the subscriber always uses the wireless LAN access point. For example, in the case of a contract that provides data communication free of charge without packet counting in wireless LAN access, as a mobile operator, the conventional ARPU (Average Revenue Per User: per subscriber in a telecommunications carrier) May not be able to maintain monthly sales), which may lead to a decrease in revenue.

  In addition, as a billing plan, there is a service in which the communication speed of the mobile network is limited when communication with a certain amount of packets (threshold value) or more is performed although it is completely flat-rate. For example, when the data amount exceeds the upper limit, the maximum value of the transmission / reception communication speed is drastically reduced until the end of the month. Public wireless LAN facilities are installed in, for example, cafes, fast food restaurants, station premises, airports, etc., and access by wireless LAN is not suitable for high-speed movement. Some users (subscribers) such as smartphones do not like wireless LAN access basically, but the communication speed of the mobile network (3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) network) is limited, and mobile network wireless access If a communication speed above a certain level is not guaranteed, it may be determined that it is better to use a wireless access network other than the wireless access network defined by 3GPP, and access by a wireless LAN may be used exclusively.

  Because of such a problem, it is desirable for the mobile operator to determine whether or not to perform offloading in consideration of charging to subscribers and serviceability that subscribers can enjoy in offloading.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to provide a communication system, apparatus, and method capable of determining whether or not an offload is possible in consideration of the communication amount, billing form, and serviceability of the terminal. And to provide a program.

  According to the present invention, based on a communication terminal capable of switching and communicating from a mobile communication access network to another radio access network, a billing mode set in the terminal, and information on a communication amount of the terminal, There is provided a communication system comprising: a node that controls notification to the terminal of information related to another radio access network that can be an offload destination from a body communication access network.

  According to the present invention, from the mobile communication access network based on the charging mode set in the terminal capable of communication by switching from the mobile communication access network to another radio access network, and information on the communication amount of the terminal A node device is provided that controls notification of information related to another radio access network that can be an offload destination to the terminal.

  According to the present invention, based on the charging mode set for a terminal capable of communication by switching from a mobile communication access network to another radio access network and the information on the communication amount of the terminal, the mobile There is provided a communication method for controlling notification to the terminal of information related to another radio access network that can be an offload destination from a body communication access network.

  According to the present invention, from the mobile communication access network based on the charging mode set in the terminal capable of communication by switching from the mobile communication access network to another radio access network, and information on the communication amount of the terminal There is provided a program that causes a computer that constitutes a node to execute a process of controlling notification to the terminal of information related to another radio access network that can be an offload destination. According to the present invention, a computer-readable recording medium (non-transitory medium) such as a semiconductor memory recording the program and a magnetic disk / optical disk is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not an offload can be performed in consideration of the communication amount of the terminal, a charging form, and serviceability.

It is a figure which illustrates the structure of exemplary Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the sequence of illustrative Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates an example of composition of ANDSF40 of example Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a figure which illustrates the combination of the charge form and usage-amount of illustrative Embodiment 1 of this invention in a table form. It is a figure which illustrates the structure of exemplary Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the sequence of illustrative Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the structure of exemplary Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the sequence of illustrative Embodiment 3 of this invention.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described. According to the embodiment, for a terminal that can communicate by switching from a mobile communication access network to another wireless access network such as a wireless LAN, the charging mode set in the terminal, and information on the communication amount of the terminal, On the basis of the mobile communication access network, it is configured to control the notification of information related to other radio access networks that can be an offload destination to the terminal. In consideration of this, it is possible to determine whether or not offloading is performed.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of exemplary embodiment 1 of the present invention. Although not particularly limited, a 3GPP network is used as a mobile communication access network below. A billing contract in the 3GPP network specified in 3GPP, the handling of data traffic during the billing target period, and an offload method will be described. For details, refer to 3GPP TS23.203 V11.06 (3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; Policy and charging control architecture (Release 11)). FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which ANDSF 40 is integrated with the configuration of billing information in 3GPP TS23.203. For ANDSF40, 3GPP TS23.402 V.11.3.0 (3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; Architecture enhancements for non-3GPP accesses (Release 11)), 3GPP TS24.312 V.11.3.0 ( Reference is made to 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Core Network and Terminals; Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF40) Management Object (MO) (Release 11) and the like.

  In FIG. 1, a communication terminal (UE) 10 accesses the Internet or the like via a 3GPP network 20. The communication terminal (UE) 10 is composed of a mobile terminal, for example. However, it may be a mobile terminal mounted on a vehicle or the like, or a fixed terminal installed in a home or the public. A communication terminal (UE) 10 connects to an access point of a wireless LAN network (non-3GPP network 30) such as Wi-Fi and accesses the Internet or the like. The 3GPP network 20 includes a radio access network (Radio Access Network) such as UTRAN (Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network) or Evolved-UTRAN (not shown), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), EPC (Evolved Packet Core), etc. 1 including the core network and the like, the network nodes 40 to 90 in FIG. 1 are connected to the core network side.

  Subscriber billing contract information (service contract information) is registered in a subscriber profile repository SPR (Subscriber Profile Repository). The SPR function is generally implemented in a home subscriber server HSS 50 (Home Subscriber Server) 50 which is a database of subscriber information.

  An online charging subsystem OCS (Online Charging Subsystem) 80 counts and counts the usage amount (used data communication amount or used time) in the charging target period. In general, the OCS is a logical node used for an online charging target subscriber (generally a prepaid subscriber), but in this embodiment, the usage amount of the charging target period is counted and counted by the OCS for convenience. Therefore, it is assumed that an apparatus equivalent to OCS is also installed for a subscriber who is subject to offline charging.

  Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) 71 has a function of transferring a communication packet used by a subscriber of communication terminal (UE) 10 and a function of measuring a communication amount.

  The PCEF 71 inquires (or notifies) the policy and charging rule function PCRF 60 (Policy and Charging Rules Function) 60 about how to handle packets and charging rules.

  The PCEF 71 is a function name, and a GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node) in a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) (3G) system or a P-GW (PDN (Packet Data Network) Gateway) 70 in an LTE (Long Term Evolution) system. Has been implemented. The PCEF 71 notifies subscribers' charging information (used communication amount and communication time) to the PCRF 60 or OCS 80.

  In addition, the PCRF 60 acquires charging contract information from the SPR (SPR / UDR 51), and generates a rule for notifying to the PCEF 71.

  An off-line charging subsystem OFCS (Offline Charging Subsystem) 90 is an off-line charging server and totals information for subsequent charging such as monthly payment.

  Access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF) 40 is an access other than a 3GPP access network (mobile phone wireless network) such as wireless LAN and WiMAX (Worldwide interoperability for Microwave Access) that can be offloaded (detoured). It has a function of notifying the communication terminal (UE) 10 of identification information (such as an SSID (Service Set Identifier) in a wireless network) of the network (non-3GPP network 30) and prompting offload.

  Offloading is performed when the communication terminal (UE) 10 tries to connect to a radio access network having identification information notified from the ANDSF 40 from among radio access networks in the vicinity. The communication terminal (UE) 10 is assumed to have a communication function with 3GPP (antenna, wireless unit, etc.) and a communication function with a wireless access network (wireless network access point).

  In the first embodiment, a certain node device on the 3GPP network considers the charging contract information of the communication terminal subscriber and the data communication amount used in the current radio access network, and identifies the identification information of the radio access network of the offload destination. The problem is solved by determining whether to notify (if not notified of identification information, notifying that there is no appropriate offloadable access network) and returning a response. This determination may be made, for example, by the ANDSF 40 collecting necessary information from the HSS 50, the OSC 80, and the OFCS 90. Alternatively, as described in detail in the second embodiment below, the PCRF 60 may make a determination based on information obtained in the course of processing, and notify and respond to the ANDSF 40.

  In the first embodiment, the ANDSF 40 considers the charging contract information of the communication terminal subscriber and the data communication amount (for example, the total amount of packets per month) used in the current wireless access network, and the other wireless access network of the offload destination It is determined whether to notify the communication terminal (UE) 10 of the identification information.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the ANDSF 40 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the network device 100 is the HSS 50, OCS 80, or OFCS 90 in FIG. The ANDSF 40 is an inter-terminal signal processing unit 401 that communicates with the communication terminal (UE) 10 via the terminal-oriented interface 411 with the communication terminal (UE) 10, and the network device interface 412 between the network apparatus 100. Obtained from the network device 100, the inter-network device signal processing unit 402 that communicates with the network device 100, the wireless base station data management unit 403 that manages the wireless network information notified to the communication terminal (UE) 10, and Notification information to be transmitted to the communication terminal (UE) 10 when it is determined whether or not to notify the communication terminal (UE) 10 of the off-load destination radio access network information based on the policy, communication amount, billing contract, etc. A policy determination / data construction unit 404 for creating

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a typical sequence according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the communication terminal (UE) 10, ANDSF 40, HSS50 SPR / UDR 51, and charging server OSC / OFCS correspond to the communication terminal (UE) 10, ANDSF 40, HSS 50 (SPR / UDR 51), and OCS 80 / OFCS 90 in FIG. 1, respectively. doing. It is assumed that the communication terminal (UE) 10 uses a 3GPP access network (mobile phone radio access network) before the start of the procedure of FIG. 3 and enters the range of an access point of a radio access network such as Wi-Fi. .

Step 1:
The communication terminal (UE) 10 transmits an access network information request to the ANDSF 40.

Step 2:
When the inter-terminal signal processing unit 401 receives an access network information request (Access Network Information Request) from the communication terminal (UE) 10, the ANDSF 40 requests the subscriber information from the HSS 50 via the inter-network device signal processing unit 402. (User Data Request) is transmitted.

Step 3:
The HSS 50 returns a subscriber information response (User Data Response) to the subscriber information request from the HSS 50 to the ANDSF 40.

Step 4:
The ANDSF 40 receives the subscriber information response (User Data Response) from the HSS 50 in the signal processing unit 402 between network devices, confirms the charging form, contract information, etc. from the subscriber information included in the subscriber information response, Check if it is necessary to collect information from the billing server.

Step 5:
When it is necessary to collect information from the accounting server, the ANDSF 40 sends a usage data request to the accounting server (OCS 80 / OFCS 90) from the inter-network device signal processing unit 402 and inquires about the current usage.

Step 6:
The accounting server (OCS 80 / OFCS 90) returns a usage data response, which is a response to the usage data request, to the ANDSF 40.

Step 7:
The policy judgment / data construction unit 404 (see FIG. 2) of the ANDSF 40, for example, as shown in FIG.
・ Notify when usage (traffic volume) exceeds a threshold,
・ Notify when usage (traffic volume) is below threshold (below threshold),
Or
・ Whether the subscriber's usage (communication volume) exceeds the threshold,
Based on the combination of
It is determined whether or not the communication terminal (UE) 10 is notified of identification information of a wireless network that can be an offload destination.

When the type of billing mode is to notify identification information of a wireless network such as Wi-Fi that can be an offload destination when the usage amount (communication amount) exceeds a threshold,
When the usage amount of the subscriber exceeds the threshold, the ANDSF 40 notifies the communication terminal (UE) 10 of identification information of a wireless network that can be an offload destination,
When the usage amount of the subscriber is equal to or less than the threshold, the ANDSF 40 does not notify the communication terminal (UE) 10 of identification information of a wireless network that can be an offload destination.

When the type of billing type is to notify the identification information of a wireless network such as Wi-Fi that can be an offload destination when the usage amount (communication amount) is less than the threshold,
When the usage amount of the subscriber is less than the threshold, the ANDSF 40 notifies the identification information of the wireless network that can be an offload destination,
When the usage amount of the subscriber is equal to or greater than the threshold, the ANDSF 40 does not notify the identification information of the wireless network that can be an offload destination. Note that the determination table in FIG. 4 is an example, and it is also possible to construct and determine a table that notifies in a certain range of usage and does not communicate.

Step 8:
The policy determination / data construction unit 404 (see FIG. 2) of the ANDSF 40 notifies the communication terminal (UE) 10 of the identification information of the wireless network from the determination result of the presence / absence of notification of the identification information of the wireless network that is the offload destination. In this case, a message including identification information (for example, SSID) of the wireless network is constructed. The policy determination / data construction unit 404 of the ANDSF 40 constructs (creates) a message that does not include the wireless network identification information when not communicating the wireless network identification information to the communication terminal (UE) 10 .

Step 9:
The ANDSF 40 includes the constructed message in the access network information response (Access Network Information Response), and transmits it from the inter-terminal communication processing unit 401 (see FIG. 2) of the ANDSF 40 to the communication terminal (UE) 10.

Step 10:
The communication terminal (UE) 10 determines to switch to the non-3GPP network 30 (another wireless network) based on information included in the received access network information response (Access Network Information Response) transmitted from the ANDSF 40.

  The communication terminal (UE) 10 does not automatically switch to another radio network when the identification information of the other radio access network is not notified. For this reason, the communication terminal (UE) 10 is continuously connected to the 3GPP access network (mobile phone radio). When the identification information (for example, SSID) of the radio access network is notified from the ANDSF 40, the communication terminal (UE) 10 uses the identification information (SSID) of the radio network in, for example, a connection request (Association Request) to the wireless LAN access point. Specify and send. In FIG. 3, the PULL procedure for making an access network information request from the communication terminal (UE) 10 to the ANDSF 40 has been described, but there is also a PUSH procedure for notifying the communication terminal (UE) 10 of access network information when the ANDSF 40 is activated. Have the same effect.

If the subscriber has a contract that the communication speed of the 3GPP access network exceeds the upper limit and the communication speed of the 3GPP access network is limited and communication is performed at a low speed, the ANDSF 40 uses the communication up to the upper limit. It is possible to control the terminal (UE) 10 so as to notify the radio access network identification information and not to notify the radio access network identification information to the communication terminal (UE) 10 that has not reached the upper limit. it can. Therefore, when a subscriber communication amount exceeds the upper limit, the switching of the continued use of 3G P P access network, although stress caused by the communication speed limit accumulation, other than 3GPP from 3GPP access network to the radio access network This eliminates the limitation on the communication speed and eliminates the stress.

  In addition, regarding a subscriber whose traffic volume has not reached the upper limit, the communication terminal (UE) 10 of the subscriber whose traffic volume has already exceeded the threshold has been switched to the radio access network. As a result, it becomes possible to use the 3GPP access network in preference to the subscriber whose traffic has already exceeded the upper limit set in the contract. That is, for the communication terminal (UE) 10 of the subscriber whose communication volume has not reached the upper limit of the contract, the mobile operator does not notify the radio access network (is not subject to offloading) and continues. Thus, the user can be encouraged to use the 3GPP access network (cellular phone wireless network). For this reason, it is possible for a subscriber whose communication volume has not reached the upper limit of the contract to be used in preference to the subscriber who has reached the upper limit of the contract, using the 3GPP access network (mobile phone wireless network). Become. As described above, according to the present invention and the embodiment thereof, it works effectively for both subscribers whose traffic exceeds the upper limit and subscribers whose traffic does not exceed the upper limit (and therefore the entire subscriber). That is, only one side will not suffer.

<Embodiment 2>
In the second embodiment, whether to notify the identification information of a radio access network that is an access network other than 3GPP (non-3GPP access network) is determined by the PCRF 60 instead of by the ANDSF 40. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of the second embodiment. The PCRF 60 receives the request from the ANDSF 40 that has received the access network information request from the communication terminal (UE) 10, acquires the subscriber information of the HSS 50 and the usage amount from the OCS, and transmits the identification information of the radio access network to the communication terminal. It is determined whether or not to notify (UE) 10. For example, the PCRF 60 acquires charging contract information from the HSS 50 (SPR / UDR 51), and acquires the usage amount of the charging target period from the OCS 80. In the PCRF 60, the determination of the presence / absence of notification based on the combination of the subscriber's billing type and the communication amount of the communication terminal (UE) 10 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a typical sequence according to the second embodiment. It is assumed that the communication terminal (UE) 10 uses the 3GPP access network (mobile phone wireless network) before the start of the procedure of FIG. 6 and enters the range of the access point of the wireless access network such as Wi-Fi.

Step 1:
The communication terminal (UE) 10 transmits an access network information request to the ANDSF 40.

Step 2:
When the ANDSF 40 receives an access network information request from the communication terminal (UE) 10 in the inter-terminal signal processing unit 401 (see FIG. 2) of the ANDSF 40, the inter-network signal processing unit 402 ( A notification determination request is transmitted to the PCRF 60 via FIG.

Step 3:
The PCRF 60 transmits the subscriber information request to the SPR of the HSS 50, receives the subscriber information, confirms the charging form from the subscriber information included in the subscriber information response, acquires the usage information from the OCS, Based on the combination of the billing form of the subscriber and the traffic, for example, based on the determination table of FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not notification of the identification information of the wireless network to the communication terminal (UE) 10 is necessary, and a notification determination response The determination result is included in and returned to the ANDSF 40.

Step 4:
The ANDSF 40 confirms the information of the communication determination response from the PCRF 60.

Step 5:
When the policy determination / data construction unit 404 of the ANDSF 40 notifies the wireless network identification information from the determination result of the presence / absence of notification of the wireless network identification information, the wireless network identification information (for example, SSID) is transmitted to the communication terminal (UE) 10. Etc.). If the policy determination / data construction unit 404 of the ANDSF 40 does not notify the identification information of the wireless network, the policy judgment / data construction unit 404 constructs a message that does not include the identification information of the other wireless access network.

Step 6:
The ANDSF 40 includes the constructed message in the access network information response (Access Network Information Response), and transmits it from the inter-terminal communication processing unit 401 (see FIG. 2) of the ANDSF 40 to the communication terminal (UE) 10.

Step 7:
The communication terminal (UE) 10 is connected to a wireless access network (another wireless access network) such as Wi-Fi based on information included in the received access network information response (Access Network Information Response) transmitted from the ANDSF 40. Determine switching. In FIG. 6, the PULL procedure for making an access network information request from the communication terminal (UE) 10 to the ANDSF 40 has been described. In addition, the PUSH procedure for notifying the communication terminal (UE) 10 of the access network information when the ANDSF 40 is activated has the same effect. Play.

<Embodiment 3>
A third embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of the third embodiment. In the present embodiment, a flag indicating whether or not to notify other wireless network identification information to the subscriber information (Subscriber Profile) held in the SPR / UDR 51 of the HSS 50 (flag information in a record corresponding to the subscriber ID) Add a column). For example, when the flag is on, other wireless network identification information is notified, and when the flag is off, other wireless network identification information is not notified. Then, when the billing mode is set in the billing server (OCS80 / OFCS90), when the communication amount of the subscriber terminal reaches a certain threshold value, the notification is set to the HSS 50.

  When a notification is received from the accounting server (OCS 80 / OFCS 90), the HSS 50 operates a flag indicating whether or not to notify the identification information of another wireless network using the determination logic illustrated in FIG. When receiving an access network information request (Access Network Information Request) from the communication terminal (UE) 10, the ANDSF 40 requests subscriber information from the SPR / UDR 51 of the HSS 50 and determines whether or not to notify the subscriber information. The notification of the communication terminal (UE) 10 is determined.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a typical sequence according to the third embodiment.

Step 1:
The billing server (OSC80 / OFCS90) is set so that the communication amount of the communication terminal (UE) 10 is notified to the HSS 50 at a predetermined threshold.

Step 2:
In the accounting server (OSC80 / OFCS90), the aggregated communication amount of the communication terminal (UE) 10 reaches a predetermined threshold.

Step 3:
The accounting server (OSC 80 / OFCS 90) notifies the HSS 50 of the above.

Step 4:
When the notification is received from the accounting server (OSC80 / OFCS90), the HSS 50 operates a flag indicating whether to notify the identification information of another network (radio access network) included in the SPR / UDR51.

  It is assumed that the communication terminal (UE) 10 uses a 3GPP network (mobile phone wireless network) and enters a range of an access point of a wireless access network such as Wi-Fi.

Step 5:
The communication terminal (UE) 10 transmits an access network information request to the ANDSF 40.

Step 6:
The ANDSF 40 transmits a subscriber data request (User Data Request) to the SPR / UDR 51 of the HSS 50.

Step 7:
The SPR / UDR 51 of the HSS 50 transmits a subscriber data response (User Data Response) to the ANDSF 40.

Step 8:
The ANDSF 40 confirms the value of the flag indicating whether or not to notify in the subscriber information, and determines whether or not the communication terminal (UE) 10 is notified of the identification information of another radio access network.

Step 9:
The ANDSF 40 constructs notification information when notifying the communication terminal (UE) 10 of identification information of another radio access network.

Step 10:
The ANDSF 40 includes the notification information in the access network information response (Access Network Information Response) and transmits it to the communication terminal (UE) 10.

Step 11:
The communication terminal (UE) 10 determines switching from the 3GPP access network to another radio access network based on the notification information from the ANDSF 40.

  According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to determine whether or not the offload is possible in consideration of the communication amount, the billing form, and the serviceability. The communication terminal (UE) 10 is not limited to a smartphone as long as it has a function of connecting to a mobile communication network and a wireless access network such as Wi-Fi. Digital Assistants), mobile terminals, and fixed terminals. In FIG. 8, the PULL procedure for making an access network information request from the communication terminal (UE) 10 to the ANDSF 40 has been described. However, the PUSH procedure for notifying the communication terminal (UE) 10 of the access network information when the ANDSF 40 is activated has the same effect. Play.

It should be noted that the embodiments and examples can be changed and adjusted within the scope of the entire disclosure (including claims) of the present invention and based on the basic technical concept. Various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment, each element of each drawing, etc.) can be combined or selected within the scope of the claims of the present invention. . That is, the present invention of course includes various variations and modifications that could be made by those skilled in the art according to the entire disclosure including the claims and the technical idea. In particular, with respect to the numerical ranges described in this document, any numerical value or small range included in the range should be construed as being specifically described even if there is no specific description.

10 Communication terminal (UE: terminal, communication terminal)
20 3GPP network (mobile network)
30 Non-3GPP network (other wireless networks)
40 ANDSF (access network discovery selection)
50 HSS (Home Subscriber Server)
51 SPR / UDR
60 PCRF
70 PDN GW / GGSN
71 PCEF
80 OCS
90 OFCS
100 Network Device 401 Inter-terminal Signal Processing Unit 402 Network Device Signal Processing Unit 403 Radio Base Station Data Management Unit 404 Policy Judgment / Data Construction Unit 411 Terminal Interface 412 Network Device Interface

Claims (30)

Based on the notification of the identification information of the radio access network, a terminal capable of communicating by switching from the mobile communication access network to the radio access network; and
In the charging mode set in the terminal, the terminal is notified of identification information of a radio access network that can be an offload destination when the communication amount of the terminal exceeds a predetermined threshold, or The radio that can be an offload destination from the mobile communication access network based on a charging form that defines whether to notify when the communication amount of the terminal is less than the threshold and information on the communication amount of the terminal A node for controlling whether to notify the terminal of the identification information of the access network or not, and
A communication system comprising:   The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the node includes an access network discovery selection function (ANDSF). The access network discovery / selection function (ANDSF) acquires the subscriber information of the terminal and the communication volume of the terminal from a subscriber information database (HSS) and a charging server (OCS / OFCS), and the subscriber information Whether or not to notify the identification information of the radio access network based on the relationship between notification and non-notification of the identification information of the radio access network to the terminal and the communication amount of the terminal Judging
The communication system according to claim 2, wherein when the determination result is notification, the access network discovery / selection function (ANDSF) notifies the identification information of the radio access network to the terminal.   The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the node includes a policy charging and rule function (PCRF). The access network discovery selection function (ANDSF) sends a notification determination request to the policy charging and rule function (PCRF),
In response to the notification determination request, the policy charging and rule function is:
Obtaining subscriber information from a subscriber information database (HSS), obtaining a billing form from the subscriber information,
Furthermore, the information on the communication amount of the terminal is acquired from the accounting server (OCS / OFCS),
From the combination of the type of billing form and the traffic of the terminal, determine whether or not to notify the terminal of identification information of the radio access network,
Include a determination result in the response to the notification determination request, and return to the access network discovery selection function (ANDSF),
The communication system according to claim 4, wherein when the determination result is notified, the access network discovery / selection function (ANDSF) notifies the terminal of identification information of the radio access network. The node notifies the identification information of the radio access network when the amount of traffic of the terminal exceeds a predetermined threshold, and when the amount of traffic of the terminal exceeds a predetermined threshold, the traffic of the terminal Depending on whether it exceeds or not, the identification information of the radio access network is notified, not notified,
If the billing mode is to notify the identification information of the radio access network when the communication amount of the terminal is less than the threshold, whether the communication amount of the terminal is less than the threshold The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information of the radio access network is notified or not notified to the terminal.   If the charging form is such that if the communication amount of the terminal is within a predetermined range, the node notifies the identification information of the radio access network, the communication amount of the terminal is within the range. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information of the radio access network is notified to the terminal and is not notified depending on whether the terminal is in the network. In setting the billing mode in the billing server (OCS / OFCS), when the communication amount of the terminal reaches a predetermined threshold, the subscriber information database (HSS) is set to be notified,
The subscriber information database (HSS) operates a flag indicating presence / absence of notification of identification information of a radio access network when the notification is received from the charging server (OCS / OFCS),
When there is a request from the terminal, the node requests subscriber information from the subscriber information database, checks the flag of the subscriber information, and identifies the radio access network to the terminal. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein notification of information is determined.   The communication system according to claim 8, wherein the node includes an access network discovery selection function (ANDSF). When the terminal enters the access range of the radio access network, the terminal transmits an access network information request to the access network discovery / selection function (ANDSF),
The communication system according to claim 9, wherein the access network discovery / selection function (ANDSF) returns identification information of the radio access network to the access network information response to the terminal. The wireless access network is a wireless LAN network;
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the identification information of the wireless access network notified to the terminal includes identification information of the wireless LAN network. A billing mode set for a terminal capable of communicating by switching from a mobile communication access network to the radio access network based on notification of identification information of the radio access network, the offload destination for the terminal A billing form that prescribes whether or not to notify the identification information of the wireless access network when the communication amount of the terminal exceeds a predetermined threshold or when the communication amount of the terminal is less than the threshold And the information on the communication amount of the terminal,
A node device that controls whether or not to notify the terminal of identification information of the radio access network that can be an offload destination from the mobile communication access network.   The node device according to claim 12, wherein the node device includes an access network discovery / selection function (ANDSF). The access network discovery / selection function (ANDSF) acquires the subscriber information of the terminal and the communication volume of the terminal from a subscriber information database (HSS) and a charging server (OCS / OFCS), and the subscriber information Whether or not to notify the identification information of the radio access network is determined from the relationship between the notification and non-notification of the identification information of the radio access network to the terminal and the communication amount of the terminal. Judgment
14. The node according to claim 13, wherein when the determination result is notification, the access network discovery / selection function (ANDSF) notifies the identification information of the radio access network to the terminal as a response to the request from the terminal. apparatus.   The node device according to claim 12, wherein the node device includes a policy charging and rule function (PCRF). The access network discovery selection function (ANDSF) sends a notification determination request to the policy charging and rule function (PCRF),
In response to the notification determination request, the policy charging and rule function is:
Obtaining subscriber information from a subscriber information database (HSS), obtaining a billing form from the subscriber information,
Furthermore, the information on the communication amount of the terminal is acquired from the accounting server (OCS / OFCS),
From the combination of the type of billing form and the traffic of the terminal, determine whether or not to notify the terminal of identification information of the radio access network,
Include a determination result in the response to the notification determination request, and return to the access network discovery selection function (ANDSF),
The node device according to claim 15, wherein when the determination result is notified, the access network discovery / selection function (ANDSF) notifies the identification information of the radio access network to the terminal. If the billing form is to notify the identification information of the radio access network when the communication amount of the terminal exceeds a predetermined threshold, whether or not the communication amount of the terminal exceeds the threshold Depending on whether or not to notify the non-notification of the identification information of the radio access network,
If the billing mode is to notify the identification information of the radio access network when the communication amount of the terminal is less than the threshold, whether the communication amount of the terminal is less than the threshold 13. The node device according to claim 12, wherein the identification information of the radio access network is notified or not notified accordingly.   If the billing mode is to notify the identification information of the radio access network when the communication amount of the terminal is within a predetermined range, whether the communication amount of the terminal is within the range The node device according to claim 12, wherein the identification information of the radio access network is notified or not notified depending on whether or not. In setting the billing mode in the billing server (OCS / OFCS), when the communication amount of the terminal reaches a predetermined threshold, the subscriber information database (HSS) is set to be notified,
The subscriber information database (HSS) operates a flag indicating presence / absence of notification of identification information of the radio access network when a notification is received from the charging server (OCS / OFCS),
When there is a request from the terminal, the node device requests subscriber information from the subscriber information database, confirms the flag of the subscriber information, and sets the radio access network to the terminal. The node device according to claim 12, wherein determination of notification of identification information is performed.   The node device according to claim 19, wherein the node device includes an access network discovery selection function (ANDSF).   When the terminal enters the access range of the radio access network, the terminal transmits an access network information request to the access network discovery / selection function (ANDSF), and the access network discovery / selection function (ANDSF) The node device according to claim 20, wherein the node device returns the access network information response including the identification information of the radio access network to the terminal. The wireless access network is a wireless LAN network;
The node device according to any one of claims 12 to 21, wherein the wireless access network identification information notified to the terminal includes the wireless LAN network identification information.   A billing mode set for a terminal capable of communicating by switching from a mobile communication access network to the radio access network based on notification of identification information of the radio access network, the offload destination for the terminal A billing form that prescribes whether or not to notify the identification information of the wireless access network when the communication amount of the terminal exceeds a predetermined threshold or when the communication amount of the terminal is less than the threshold Based on the communication amount information of the terminal, the identification information of the radio access network that can be an offload destination from the mobile communication access network is notified to the terminal at one node, or is not notified A communication method that controls whether or not.   The communication method according to claim 23, wherein the node includes an access network discovery selection function (ANDSF). The access network discovery / selection function (ANDSF) acquires the subscriber information of the terminal and the communication volume of the terminal from a subscriber information database (HSS) and a charging server (OCS / OFCS), and the subscriber information Whether or not to notify the identification information of the radio access network is determined from the relationship between the notification and non-notification of the identification information of the radio access network to the terminal and the communication amount of the terminal. Judgment
The communication method according to claim 24, wherein, when the determination result is notification, the access network discovery / selection function (ANDSF) notifies the identification information of the radio access network to the terminal.   The communication method according to claim 23, wherein the node includes a policy charging and rule function (PCRF). The access network discovery selection function (ANDSF) sends a notification determination request to the policy charging and rule function (PCRF),
In response to the notification determination request, the policy charging and rule function is:
Obtaining subscriber information from a subscriber information database (HSS), obtaining a billing form from the subscriber information,
Furthermore, the information on the communication amount of the terminal is acquired from the accounting server (OCS / OFCS),
From the combination of the type of billing form and the traffic of the terminal, determine whether or not to notify the terminal of identification information of the radio access network,
Include a determination result in the response to the notification determination request, and return to the access network discovery selection function (ANDSF),
27. The communication method according to claim 26, wherein, when the determination result is notified, the access network discovery / selection function (ANDSF) notifies the terminal of identification information of the radio access network. When setting the billing mode in the billing server (OCS / OFCS), set the notification information to the subscriber information database (HSS) when the communication amount of the terminal reaches a predetermined threshold. ,
The subscriber information database (HSS) operates a flag indicating presence / absence of notification of identification information of the radio access network when a notification is received from the charging server (OCS / OFCS),
When there is a request from the terminal, the node requests subscriber information from the subscriber information database, checks the flag of the subscriber information, and identifies the radio access network to the terminal. 24. The communication method according to claim 23, wherein information notification is determined.   The communication method according to claim 28, wherein the node includes an access network discovery selection function (ANDSF).   A billing mode set for a terminal capable of communicating by switching from a mobile communication access network to the radio access network based on notification of identification information of the radio access network, the offload destination for the terminal A billing form that prescribes whether or not to notify the identification information of the wireless access network when the communication amount of the terminal exceeds a predetermined threshold or when the communication amount of the terminal is less than the threshold And whether to notify the terminal of identification information of the radio access network that can be an offload destination from the mobile communication access network, based on the information on the traffic of the terminal The program which makes the computer which comprises a node perform the process to perform.

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